Editing Tafsir (section)

== Criteria ==
{{Usul al-fiqh}}
An author of a ''tafsir'' is called a ''{{Transliteration|ar|ALA|mufassir}}'' ({{langx|ar|مُفسّر}}; plural: {{langx|ar|مفسّرون|mufassirūn}}). Mufassirs are required to master several disciplines such as [[linguistics]], [[rhetoric]], [[theology]] and [[jurisprudence]] before one can authoritatively interpret the Quran.<ref name="Jo" /><ref name="Jalaludin">{{cite book|last=Allama Jalaludin|first=Suyuti|title=الاتقان فی علوم القرآن|year=2008|publisher=Darul Ishat}}</ref>

The following criteria are in place to ensure a tafsir maintains fidelity.

# '''Knowledge of the Quran -''' The primary criteria is understanding and knowing the Quran. A scholar must be able to refer to other of the Quran to provide an explanation of other parts of the Quran. Intra-textual analysis is essential as it maintains consistency.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Mir |first=Mustansir |title=Coherence in the Qurʾān: a study of Iṣlāḥī's concept of naẓm in Tadabbur-i Qurʾān |date=1986 |publisher=American Trust Publ |isbn=978-0-89259-065-0 |location=Indianapolis, IN}}</ref>
# '''Knowledge of the Sunnah -''' The [[Sunnah]], or sayings, actions, and approvals of the prophet Muhammad serve as a secondary source for a tafsir. The prophet's explanations of the Quran serve as an authoritative weight and scholars agree that interpretations should not contradict the Sunnah.<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Suyūṭī |first1=Ǧalāl-ad-Dīn ʿAbd-ar-Raḥmān Ibn-Abī-Bakr as- |title=Al-itqān fī ʿUlūm al-Qurʾān |last2=Algar |first2=Hamid |last3=ʿUṯmān Saiyid Aḥmad Ismāʿīl |date=2011 |others=Centre for Muslim Contribution to Civilization |isbn=978-1-85964-242-9 |edition=Reading$nGarnet Publ |series=The perfect guide to the sciences of the Qurʹān}}</ref>
# '''Understanding of the Arabic language -''' proficiency in the Arabic language rhetoric (Ilm-ulm-Balagha) is required to understand the syntax and grammar of the Quran. Scholars must know the nuances, expressions, and figurative language which appears in the Quran.<ref name="Jalaludin" /><ref>{{Cite book |last=Goldziher |first=Ignaz |title=Die Richtungen der islamischen Koranauslegung |date=1920 |publisher=Fachbuchverlag-Dresden |isbn=978-3956926365}}</ref> The science of understanding the language is called Ilm-ul-Balagha (science of rhetoric) and 
# '''Knowledge of context (Asbab al-Nuzul) -''' a scholar must understand the reasons and circumstances ([[Asbab al-Nuzul|asbab al-nuzul]]) of a revelation in order to interpret the text correctly. If a verse is isolated without knowing the context, it can be misinterpreted.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Wāḥidī |first=Abu-'l-Ḥasan ʿAlī Ibn-Aḥmad al- |title=Al-Wāḥidī's Asbāb al-nuzūl |date=2008 |publisher=Fons Vitae |others=Royal Aal al-Bayt Institute for Islamic Thought |isbn=978-1-891785-18-4 |series=Great commentaries on the Holy Qurʾan̄ |location=Louisville, KY |translator-last=Guezzou |translator-first=Mokrane}}</ref>
# '''Consistency with early Tafsir (Tafsir al-Mathur) -''' the prophet's companions ([[Companions of the Prophet|sahaba]]) and successors ([[tabi'un]]) are considered reliable sources of tafsir. Their interpretations are considered higher authority.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Kathir |first=Hafix Ibn |title=Tafsir Ibn Kathir |publisher=Dar-us-Salam Publications |year=2000 |isbn=978-1591440208}}</ref>
# '''Application of reason (Tasfir bi'l-Ra'y) -''' along with transmitted sources, scholars also can use reason to interpret the Quran. The reason applied must stay within Islamic principles. Personal opinion (ra'y) must be kept within bounds. Any reason applied must be supported by other Islamic texts or have scholarly consensus.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Taymiyyah |first=Ibn |title=Muqaddimah fi Usul at-Tafsir}}</ref> 
# '''Abrogation (Naskh) -''' scholars must be able to identify and account for abrogated ([[Naskh (tafsir)|naskh]]) verses to avoid misunderstanding earlier rulings. A failure to do this will cause misinterpreting and the misapplication of Islamic law.<ref>{{Cite book |last=As-Suyuti |first=Imam Jalaludin |title=Al-Itqan fi Ulum al-Qur'an |publisher=Dar Ibn Hazm |year=2015 |isbn=978-9953816197}}</ref> 
# '''Knowledge of Fiqh (Islamic Jurisprudence) -''' scholars must have deep understanding of [[Principles of Islamic jurisprudence|Islamic jurisprudence]] ([[fiqh]]) and the methodology of legal derivation. Without this, a scholar may misinterpret legal rulings in the Quran and lead to a flawed conclusion.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Kamali |first=Mohammad Hashim |title=Principles of Islamic jurisprudence |date=2011 |publisher=The Islamic Texts Society |isbn=978-0-946621-82-8 |edition=3. rev. and enlarged ed., repr |location=Cambridge}}</ref><ref name="Jalaludin" />
#'''Avoiding interpretations that contradict Islamic beliefs -''' a tafsir must not contradict established Islamic theology ([[Aqidah|aqeedah]]) as it will be considered invalid. Scholars must ensure their exegesis upholds the essentials of Islamic theology and philosophy, collectively known as ''[[Aqidah (Islamic theology)|Ilm al-Aqa'id]]'' and ''[[Ilm al-Kalam]]''.<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Jackson |first1=Sherman A. |title=On the boundaries of theological tolerance in Islam: Abū Ḥāmid al-Ghāzalīʾs Fayṣal al-Tafriqa bayna al-Islam wa al-Zandaqa |last2=Ġazzālī |first2=Abū-Ḥāmid Muḥammad Ibn-Muḥammad al- |date=2003 |publisher=Oxford University Press |isbn=978-0-19-579791-6 |edition=2. impression |series=Studies in Islamic philosophy |location=Oxford}}</ref><ref name="Jo" />